AWAKENING 


n 

MARY WHITE OV1NGTON 



THE AWAKENING 


A PLAY 

BY 

MARY WHITE OVINGTON 

9 9 


Price 25 Cents. 

Five copies for one dollar. 


National Association for the Advancement 
of Colored People 

70 Fifth Avenue 
New York. 



Copyrighted 1923 

BY 

Mary White Ovington. 




700^0* (, 

All rights reserved. 

There is a charge of five dollars royalty on each 
performance of this play. Returns to he made to the 
National Association for the Advancement of Colored 
People , 70 Fifth Ave., New York. 


CHARACTERS. 


Edward Marston, a young lawyer 
Cyril 
John 

Albert Members of the 

Helen Ray Caldwell Social 

Thelma Club 

Beatrice 

Jane, a young woman 
A young man 

William Jones, Sheriff of Casper Co., Georgia 
Caesar Smith, escaped from Casper Co. 

Mrs. Carter 
Mary 

Mrs. Allen 

Mrs. Boyd Workers 

Mr. Harris N. A. A. C. P. 

Mr. Campbell 
Mr. Duncan 
Fannie Landers, laundress 
Jimmy 
His girl 

Miss Norton, a white teacher 
Portly Man 

Reverend George Todd 
Judge 

District Attorney 
Clerk of the Court 
Sergeant at Arms 
Thre£ policemen 

Men and women, chiefly colored, in the audience at the 
court scene. 

Chorus (preferably of children). 




SCENES 


' Act I. Living Room of Mrs. Ray’s Home. 

Act II. Headquarters of the Caldwell Branch of the 
National Association for the Advancement 
of Colored People. 


Act III. Court Room. 


Act IV. The same as Act I. 


Time: Autumn of the year 1922. 

Two weeks are supposed to elapse between Act I 
and Act II. 

Onei week is supposed to elapse between Act II 
and Act III. 

Act III and IV occupy the same day. 


THE AWAKENING 


ACT ONE. 

Scene: A room in Mrs. Ray’s house. The exit rear, 
left side. The room is furnished with ten chairs, two 
tables, a victrola, a secretary’s book and gavel, a few 
magazines, etc There are ten young colored people 
present. Their leader is Edward Marston, a good looking 
young man, who, when the curtain goes up, is standing 
over the victrola which is playing a rollicking piece of 
dance music. Some of the young people are dancing; 
Cyril and Thelma are sitting in a corner absorbed in 
one another. There is the sound of a boisterous good 
time as the victrola sings out its ragtime. Helen Ray 
is standing near Edward watching him. 

Edward 

Here she goes, here’s the last tune of the evening be¬ 
fore business begins. All dance your prettiest. Get 
Cyril and Thelma out of the corner there. 

(No one goes to the corner or pays any attention to 
him. As a couple comes near he puts his foot out and 
they trip a little. The man gives him a good-natured 
punch with his elhow and goes on with his dance. “Stop 
your kidding ,” he calls above the music as he whirls his 
partner away. Three or four sing the tune as it is 
ground out on the victrola. Edward begins to take 
dancing steps and faces Helen, putting out his hands to 
swing her into the dance. She shakes her head. Making 
his way through the dancers, Edward goes into the 
corner and snatches up Thelma dancing off with her. 
Cyril rises as if to pursue them and looks on grinning. 
Helen stands quite still by the victrola, smiling now and 
then but with a troubled look upon her face. The record 
ends and the dancers drop into near seats.) 


Edward 


(Standing in the background) To work, my young 
friends, to work. The Caldwell Social Club will now 
hold its business meeting. 

(Helen, in the meantime, directs Cyril and Albert how 
to put the roam in proper order. A table is placed in 
the middle toward the front, with a chair behind it for 
the president. Another chair is put at the side for the 
secretary. Helen’s secretary’s book and a gavel are on 
the table. Edward comes forward.) 

Edward 

Madam Secretary. (He places a chair very ostentat¬ 
iously for Helen who sits and then he sits himself with 
assumed gravity. He strikes the table with his gavel.) 
I call the meeting to order. Miss Thelma Jackson will 
please put up her vanity bag while the minutes are be¬ 
ing read. 

(Thelma, who has been using her vanity bag, makes a 
mouth at Edward, goes on powdering her nose for a few 
seconds while he frowns indignantly at her; then she 
shuts up her bag.) 

The meeting having now come to order, the secretary 
will please read the minutes of the last meeting. 

Helen 

(Rising and reading from her book) The Caldwell 
Social Club held its regular monthly meeting at the 
home of Miss Thelma Jackson on Tuesday, March 20. 
We played bridge and had supper. The secretary re¬ 
ported fifteen dollars in the treasury. There was no 
business and the meeting adjourned. Respectfully sub¬ 
mitted, Helen Ray, Secretary. 

Edward 

I hope, my friends, that you all notice the succinctness 
of our esteemed secretary’s report. I know you all ap¬ 
preciate our method instituted by your president, of 


6 


pleasure first and business afterwards. Never while this 
citizen holds office (he pats himself on the chest) will 
business be allowed to interfere with pleasure. You 
have heard the report of the secretary, what is your 
pleasure ? 


Cyril 

I move it be accepted as read. 

Thelma 

I second the motion. 


I third it. 


Albert 


Beatrice 

Stop your kidding or Helen will murder you with a 
look. 

Edward 

(Rapping with his gavel again) Come to order. The 
motion to accept the secretary’s report has been moved 
and seconded. Do I hear any discussion? No? If not 
all in favor will signify it by saying Aye. Opposed No. 
The Ayes have it. The motion is carried. 

(No one has taken the trouble to say either Aye or 
No.) 

Edward 

Do I hear any other motion? 

Albert 

(Rising) I move we— 


Helen 

(Rising) If you move that we adjourn, no other mo¬ 
tion will be in order and I have something important to 
bring up. 

(Edward and Cyril groan. The others look bored ex¬ 
cept Thelma who seems interested.) 


7 


Albert 

I give way to our honored secretary only begging her 
not to make too prolonged and impassioned a speech as 
I have to prepare a senior theme before morning. (Sits.) 

Helen 

That’s the way it always is. We leave our business 
so late that there is no time to talk about anything 
worth while. 

Edward 

My dear Madam secretary, I protest. I have been 
talking to you all the evening. Do you mean to in¬ 
sinuate that I have said nothing worth while ? 

Helen 

(With an indulgent smile, and then growing serious) 
I surely do. You haven’t said a word but nonsense. 

Edward 

(Professing great indignation) Impossible! 

Helen 

(Proceeding without paying any attention to his mock 
anger) It isn’t that you couldn’t be serious, Edward, 
but you seem to think, and all the others, pretty nearly 
think with you, that being social means being silly. 
Well, I’m tired of being silly and unless we do some¬ 
thing worth while, I’m going to leave the club. 

(The faces of the young people become serious. They 
say, interrupting one another—) 

Albert 

No more of Helen’s eats. 

Cyril 

You don’t meant it, Helen. 

Thelma 

I’m willing to do something. 

Beatrice 

(Jumping up) I believe Helen is right. We pretend 
to be of some account with our constitution and all — 


8 


Albert 

Our by-laws, don’t forget our by-laws. 

Beatrice 

And our by-laws, but we don’t do a single thing but 
dance and play cards. 

John 

(Large and sleepy looking) and eat. 

Beatrice 

And eat. Well, lets either do something or give up 
having officers (Sits) 

Edward 

(Stretches his feet out under the table, getting down 
in his chair, and looks rather sheepish) We must have 
officers, child, to look after the money and we must have 
money if we are to have good times. 

Helen 

. I’m sick of the good times. I offer my resignation 
(Sits) 

Cyril 

See here, Helen, before you adopt that tragic tone, 
tell us what you would like us to do. 

Helen 

I’d like to have the business first and do something 
real and then play afterwards. I’d like a club that did 
something for the race. 

Edward 

(Groaning) A race woman! 

Helen 

How can I help being a race woman, I’m colored. 

Edward 

(With much heat) Forget about it. For the Lord’s 
sake forget about it. White people don’t go around 
saying to themselves every five minutes ‘I’m white, I 
belong to the white race.’ They take life as it comes 
without thinking about race, one way or another. That’s 
the way I believe in taking it. I’m American. That’s 
•enough. 


9 


Cyril 

That sounds very well, Ned, but you know its rot. 
We do have to think about race, but one of the reasons 
I joined the Caldwell social club was just because I 
supposed, when I got here, I wouldn’t be infernally up 
against the race problem. 

Edward 

Up against the skirt problem instead ( Glances at 
Thelma ). 

Helen 

I know how you feel, Cyril, and how Ned feels and 
probably the most of you feel the same way so I’m the 
one to drop out. 

Thelma 

What would you like us to do, Helen, when we have 
our business meeting. You must have something in mind. 

Edward 

’Tis now the very witching time of night, 

When churchyards yawn and graves give up their dead' 

Give up your idea as quickly as you can, Nell, for 
we must go soon or your mother will turn us out. 

Helen 

(Rises, evidently embarrassed knowing that the feel¬ 
ing will be against her) I want to have the club join 
in the drive of the National Association for the Ad¬ 
vancement of Colored People. 

Cyril 

(Rising) I move the meeting adjourn (Sits). 

John 

(Rising) I second it (Sits). 

Edward 

Are you ready for the question? 

Beatrice 

See here, I think we ought not to adjourn until Helen 
has a chance to say what she thinks. 


10 


Edward 

A motion to adjourn is undebatable. 
Aye. 

Cyril and Peter 

Aye. 

Edward 

All opposed, No. 


All in favor say 


Thelma and Beatrice 

No. 

John 

No! Anybody who gave us that chicken salad ought 
to have a chance to talk. 


Edward 

The noes have it. Miss Ray you have the floor. 

Helen 

(Remains standing during the vote) It’s nice up here 
in Caldwell, where nearly everybody is decent to you, 
to forget about the problem. But it isn’t fair to the 
people who are in it all the time, who can’t forget it. 
We ought not to be having a good time and doing nothing 
for them. 

Beatrice 

Whom do you mean? 

Helen 

I mean the people down South. 

Jane 

My mother comes from the South and she’s always 
telling us how nice it was. 

Beatrice 

Is she going back there? 

Jane 

No, I guess not. 

Helen 

Mrs. Carter called on me yesterday, she’s one of the 
captains in the drive, and left some of her literature, 
and truly I couldn’t sleep all night. 


11 


Edward 

(Emphatically) You shouldn’t read that stuff. 

Helen 

I ought to, and so ought you, and we ought to work 
with the Association to stop the awful things that are 
happening. It’s mean for us to stand aside and not 
help. We’re in the north where it’s safe to agitate and 
to work against lynching and peonage, and then we’re 
young and starting out in life. 

Edward 

That’s just the reason I don’t want to have anything 
to do with it. I’m starting out, as you say. So are you, 
Helen. You’ve got a good position in the public schools. 
Cyril here is awfully popular with the white fellows at 
college. We don’t want to get messed up with the riff¬ 
raff of the race. 

Helen 

It isn’t riff-raff. 

Edward 

Yes it is. Once in a while they lynch a respectable 
citizen but not often. 

Helen 

Once in a while! How would you like to be lynched 
once in a while? 

Cyril 

(Rising, speaking good-naturedly) I call the meeting 
to order. Let us appoint a committee to take up this 
matter and report at the next meeting (Sits). 

Thelma 

(Rising) I second the motion (Sits). 

Helen 

You know it will be no use that way. The drive will 
be over by the next meeting. 

Edward 

No it won’t. Drives are like a woman’s work, there’re 
never done. I appoint Helen and Cyril and Thelma on 
that committee. 


12 


John 

(Waking up from a long browse) I move we adjourn. 


Helen 

You haven’t accepted my resignation yet. 


Cyril 

We’re doing something. See, we’re appointing a com¬ 
mittee. 


Edward 

The meeting stands adjourned (Starts Home Sweet 
Home on the phonograph). 

(The others rise and begin to chat with one another. 
Helen occupies the centre of the table, her secretary’s 
book under her hand.) 

Cyril 

(Going up to Helen) Well, goodbye Helen, we'll hold 
a committee meeting pretty soon. 


Goodbye. 

Goodbye 


Helen 

Thelma 
(Kisses Helen). 


John 

Goodbye. Don’t lie awake all night over this. It 
don’t pay. 

Helen 

Goodbye, John. 

(The hats and outer wraps are in the hall. Some of 
the young people put theirs on there and then come in 
and call out goodby to Helen. She replies to them all, 
but does not go with them to the hall. Edward, too, 
remains at the victrola and the young people, Cyril, 
Beatrice, giving little nods in the direction of the two, 
get aivay at last, the victrola still grinding out Home 
Sweet Home. When the last one has gone Edivard stops 
the victrola and comes over to Helen.) 

Edward 

Helen, child, you’re getting too serious. A girl mustn’t 
be too serious. 


13 


Helen 

(Turning on him sharply) No? I suppose she must 
leave all the seriousness to you. 

Edward 

I’m serious enough at my business, you know that, 
but when I come here I like to drop it all. 

Helen 

Yes, I know. 

Edward 

And as to those awful things in the South, I know 
there’re awful but the Negroes there ought to get up 
and come North where they can get some sort of justice. 

Helen 

But when they come North I’ve heard you complain 
because some of them are uncultivated people who don’t 
always behave well in the street and don’t keep their 
boots shined and aren’t dandies like you. 

Edward 

(With an embarrassed, laugh) Well, they do make 
things harder for us northerners who have earned our 
place here and are thoroughly respected. 

Helen 

Do you respect yourself? 


Edward 

(Angrily) What do you mean? 

Helen 

Do you respect yourself? You come of humble people 
too, just as we all did. 

Edward 

Not you, Helen. 

Helen 

Yes, me. A minister’s family is poor enough. 
Edward 

What are you driving at? 


14 


Helen 

Oh nothing. Good night. 

Edward 

(With complete change in manner and for the first 
time this evening showing his finer side) See here, 
Helen, I’m not so unsympathetic as I talk. I do feel 
keenly for the men and women who are denied justice 
and lynched. I often think about it. And I appreciate 
your interest and sympathy in it all. You know I do. 

Helen 

Yes, I know you can feel seriously or I wouldn’t have 
been engaged to you. 

Edward 

You’re my girl, Helen, I love you more than anything 
else in the world. I’d work my head off for you. But 
I can’t go with you in this N.A.A.C.P. work. 

Helen 

Why not? 

Edward 

Because it would take too much time. Because I've 
got to work hard, to give all my best strength to mak¬ 
ing a home for you. 

Helen 

But I don’t want — 

Edward 

(interrupting her) I want you should have everything 
you need, and lots of things you don’t need. (With a 
little laugh) I’ve got my job cut right out for me here 
in Caldwell. I am beginning to get in with the right 
people. A man must look out for himself. 

Helen 

And never think about others? 

Edward 

I’m thinking about others. Ask John who was just 
here if I didn’t get him the best sort of a job the other 
day. Easy work and a fat check every pay-day. 


15 


Helen 

That’s a fine way to serve your fellow-man. 

Edward 

(Getting angry again) If you weren’t crazy from 
reading all that lynching and peon stuff you’d see what 
I mean. I mean that a man ought to take care of 
things near home. Help his family, make a home for 
his wife, help his friends. I’m doing this the best way 
I know how. That’s my job. 

(Helen does not answer but moves over to the v\ctrola 
and starts putting things to right a little listlessly. 
Edward regards her uneasily but remains where he is. 
Suddenly he bursts out) 

Besides it might hurt me in my work. 

Helen 

What work? 

Edward 

You know as well as I do that I’m thick in politics. 
And in the Democratic Party. I don’t want to be 
dragging in lynching and peonage every other minute. 
If I can make things decent in this town, get jobs for 
colored people, help the man who gets run into jail at 
night and hasn’t a friend but me, I’m as useful as if I 
were working for those peons in Arkansas they’re mak¬ 
ing such a cry about. 

Helen 

I’m glad you told it to me as straightforwardly as 
that. I’d suspected it for some time. You’ve sold your¬ 
self. 

Edward 

(Laughing and assuming his careless manner) Don’t 
be melodramatic. (He tries to hiss her but she repulses 
him.) 

Helen 

You’ve sold yourself. 

Edward 

(Very seriously) What do you mean? I've played a 
straight, honest game. 


16 


Helen 

Very well, perhaps it is. But it isn’t my game. We 
can’t play it together. We part company tonight. 

Edward 

Helen, you don’t know what you’re saying. 

Helen 

Yes, I do. I know just what I’m saying. I don’t 
want you to work for me. I can take care of myself. 
Yes, and I can take care of others too. I’ll never bind 
myself up so that I can’t work for the poorest child 
in the poorest place in the world. 

Edward 

You don’t understand. 


Helen 

Yes, I. do. That’s just what I do. I understand. 
And we can’t go together any more. (She pulls off her 
engagement ring and hands it out to him . He does not 
touch it but just stares at her.) 

Edward 

You don’t mean what you say. You won’t throw me 
over this way. 

Helen 

I mean every word. I won’t go with you any more. 
I’ve done with the Caldwell social club and its worthy 
president. 

Edward 

(Notv angry in a quiet, still fashion) Indeed. I am 
glad to know just how you feel. (Takes the ring and 
goes out into the hall. In a moment he reappears with 
his hat in his hand) I wish you good evening. 

Helen 

Good evening. 

(Edward bows and goes out. You hear the front door 
slam behind him. Helen, left alone, pushes back the 
table and puts the chairs in place. A voice calls from 
above.) 


17 


Helen! 


Mrs. Ray 


Helen 

Yes, Mother. 

Mrs. Ray 

Has everybody gone? 

Helen 

Yes, Mother. 

Mrs. Ray 

Then come up, dear. 

Helen 

In a few minutes, mother. 

Mrs. Ray 

Is anything the matter? 

Helen 

Oh, no nothing. Go to bed, dear, I’ll be up presently. 
Mrs. Ray 

Well, good night. I’ll leave the light in the hall. 


Helen 

Good night. (Helen moves about the room again, and 
then turns all the lights out but one. When she has the 
room to her liking she sits dozen in a large chair, her 
face to the audience, and rests her head upon her hand. 
In a little time she wipes her eyes and you see that she 
is weeping.) We’ve known one another such a long time 
and he’s such a dear fellow (wipes eyes) but I couldn’t 
be tied for life to a man who only wanted me to amuse 
him. If he would only face life, only learn about things, 
he would act differently. What a lot of good he could 
do! (She wipes her eyes again and for a few seconds 

sits quite silent, her hands in her lap. There is a faint 
noise in the hall, as of an opening door. Helen starts 
and stands.) 

Helen 

(Softly) Is that you, Ned? (There is no anszver. It 
is silent again. She moves toxvard the door and then 
moves back—afraid to go further.) 


18 


Helen 


Is anyone there? 

(There is a sound again and a man appears in the 
doorway. He is dressed in clothes that are wrinkled 
and dirty.’ He stands in the shadow and Helen can dis¬ 
tinguish very little. She staj'ts to cry out hut ends in a 
little choke for the man holds up his hand and says 
pleadingly ) 

Smith 

Don’t make a noise, don’t gib me lip. 

Helen 

What do you mean? Who are you? 

Smith 

Caesar Smith, Ma’am, from Georgia. Don’t gib me 
up. Dey’s after me. 

Helen 

Who are after you? 

Smith 

De sheriff, Ma’am. He come all de way up ter ketch 
me. He bin on my trail ter day. Reckon he’ll git me. 
But don’t gib me up. 

Helen 

Tell me what you did. • 

Smith 

No’tin ma’am, no’tin. No’tin but what you is doin 
now, guardin’ yo’r home. But I won’t hurt yo’. I needs 
help. I aint doin’ no man harm nor no woman. 

Helen 

(Seeing that he is sadly shaken loses her fear and 
goes over to where he stands) Sit down, I’m not afraid. 
But you must tell me what has happened and why the 
sheriff wants you. 

(The tivo sit. The one light in the room is on Smith*s 
face.) 

Smith 

Dis aint no pretty tale, Miss, fer you ter hear. You 
eber libed Souf? 


19 


Helen 

No, but I’ve read about some of the things that hap¬ 
pen there, the way the white people keep the Negroes 
on the plantations in debt and then the lynchings. 

Smith 

Yes, Ma’am, and dere’s anudder ting. Ef sumpin wrong 
happens, ef some white man is shot at by a nigger, or 
some white gal gits huirt, dey don cyah whever dey 
punish der right nigger or der wrong one, don make a 
bit o’ diff’ence, so long as dey huirt some one and has 
dere fun. Well, down my way, a white gal were— 
well, hurt badly, miss. Nobody knowd who done it. 
Dey don’ know ter dis day though it look like it were 
a white man got a grudge agin her father. But de 
white folks, an’ specially dose ole Ku Klux, dey must 
hit on somebody so dey hits on me. 

Helen 

Oh! 

Smith 

I had a right nice li’ll place. Chickens and a hog an’ 
a nice patch er sweet pertatoes. An’ I owned it, too. 
Dey didn’t like dat. I was getting biggertv, dey says. 
What was dat? (He starts at a sound he alone hears.) 

Helen 

It was nothing, Mr. Smith, nothing. I am sure you 
need not be afraid here. 


Smith 

I won’t neber be sure er myself agin, miss. I don’ 
spect eber to be safe. You can’t know ef you aint never 
been down dar. I was in der swamp two days, hidin’ 
from the dogs, der mud up ter my elbows, I was dat 
hongry I could feel de wolf tearin’ at my insides. But 
dat w T arn’t der worst. I was feared ob de fire dat burns 
slow, slow while dey sits around to watch an’ hear yer 
scream. Dat’s what I feared. 


Helen 

But w r hat did you do? 

20 


Smith 

No’tin, aint I tellin’ yo’ I didn’t touch der gal. Got 
one er my own. But dev cum ter my house and ordered 
me out an’ I jes wouldn’t go* 


Who comes? 


Helen 


Smith 

Aint I tellin’ ver, Dey comes, dese Ku Klux. 


Helen 

The Ku Klux? 

Smith 

Yas’m, Dey tells me agin ter come out, an’ I don’ go. 
And dey calls agin: “We’re wanting yer, Caesar!” An’ 
I don’ go. An den dey pounds at de do’. It aint easy 
ter break. I stands dar, watchin’ fer ’em ter git in. 
(He rises at this and tells his story dramatically, crouch¬ 
ing with imagined gun in hand) I jes watches, Miss, 
an’ when dey break de do’ I shoots de firs’ one dat 
comes in. 

Helen 

You shot? 


Smith 

Yes ma’am, I shoots and he falls, his ole white sheet 
wrap about him. He wasn’t dead, cos I seed him atter- 
wards. But dey don no more come in jes den. Dose 
Klu Klux, dey aint much alone, dey has to hunt in 
crowds. When I gits my gun on de second one, he 
goes out. An’ I goes too, out der back do’. 

Helen 

Was anyone in the house with you? 

Smith 

No, thank de Lord. Ma and Lindy was away visitin’ 
her folks. Lindy wanted ter take her kitten. I wish 
she had. Dere aint nottin’ lef’ ob dere place, not a 
pertater in der ground, or a shingle on der roof—ebery- 
ting gone. Dey set fire ter de heap, spectin’ me ter 


21 


be in it. But I had gone a good stretch an’ purty soon 
I heard der dogs. 

Eber heard bloodhounds? (Helen shakes her head.) 
Dey aint bad dogs, but dey sure is put to der debit's 
use. I heard ’em baying, baying, an’ I went to der 
swamp and stayed der trou de night an’ in de mornin’ 
I went in deeper, deeper, so dey couldn’t fin’ me. Cat- 
briers wrop around yo’, dead trees where yo’ sink deep 
down in der rot, and der ants, millions ob dem, run about 
yo’ feet. Gnats an’ moskeeters buzzing tru de day an’ 
screaming tru de night an’ de white man standin’ waitin’ 
fer yo’ to get out. (He stops in his story and looks up- 
ward) But de stars was dar, de lamps of heaven. De 
stars dey sabed me, Miss. I followed de North star like 
de slaves did in de ole days. An’ all de way along I 
found friends. Seemed like dere’s a heap ob kind people 
in der world. (He stops and looks at her steadily.) 

Helen 

And you will find a friend here, Mr. Smith, I’ll help 
you in any way that I can. 

Smith 

I hopes yo’ will, Miss, I’s been tru a heap ob trouble. 
I don’ look like what I did at home. I wisht you could 
hab seen my li’ll home. Honeysuckle on de front poch 
an’ Ma alays keepin’ everything swep up. And Lindy, 
de prettiest li’ll trick playin’ about the yard wid her 
kitty. Dat waz my home an its gone. (He sinks back 
in his chair with a helpless gesture. Helen looks at him 
and wipes the tears from her eyes. They hear a slight 
sound. Caesar starts tip. Helen goes to the hall to lock 
the door and is confronted by a man. She pushes the 
sivitch and turns on the light full force. She sees a xchite 
man, rather good-looking, lean, with sharp features) 
(Rises, terrified) Dats him, I said they waz after me. 

Jones 

(Showing his pistol) Well, I got you at last, Caesar, 
and a pretty chase you’ve led me. Thought you could 
get off up here, eh? We’ll see about that. I’ve a 
warrant against you. You’re charged with murder. 


22 


(Smith’s head drops and he turns to follow the sheriff 
but they both are confronted by Helen tvho stands in 
the doorway) 

Helen 

Leave that man alone, you’ve no right to enter this 
house. 

Jones 

Well, I’ll be damned. What sort of a nigger wench 
is this? 

Helen 

Leave that man alone. (Turns to Smith) Don’t you go 
with him, Mr. Smith. 

Jones 

Mr. Smith, that’s a good one (Takes hold of Caesar 
and pushes him toward the door). 

Helen 

(Runs to the telephone which is in the hall. You hear 
her calling) Central, The Police Department. Yes, this 
is 20 Chestnut Street. A man has forced entrance— 
Come at once. (Sheriff stops with Caesar who has made 
no attempt to escape him. Speaks as Helen returns) 

Jones 

That’s all right, my girl. I hope your police will 
come. They’ll save me trouble. 

Helen 

Don’t worry, they’ll come. (To Caesar) Don’t be 
discouraged, Mr. Smith, you aren’t in the South. 

Jones 

No, but he soon will be. 

Helen 

You mustn’t be too sure of that. 

Jones 

What’s to prevent it? 

Helen 

We’ll all prevent it. We won’t let him go back to be 
lynched. 


23 


Jones 

(With a little laugh) Lynched, why, he’ll get a fair 
trial all right. 

Helen 

A fair trial in Georgia! 

Jones 

(Menacingly) See here, you’d better drop this sort of 
gab with me. You’re nothing but a nigger, and you 
want to keep your place. 

Helen 

(Who is trembling all the time but who keeps up from 
the excitement of the situation) You had better keep 
your place. You’ve no right entering my home and I’ll 
have you arrested for it. 

Jones 

I’ll be damned. 

(The sheriff takes a quid of tobacco from his pocket, 
cuts off a piece and begins to chexv. His eyes never 
leave Caesar who has no opportunity to escape. There 
is a ring at the door. Helen runs to open it and ushers 
in txvo policemen.) 

Helen 

Officers, arrest this man (pointing to the sheriff) he 
has entered my house tonight. 

Jones 

Easy now, friends, easy. (He shows his badge and 
papers) This is a very high class nigger establishment 
but I reckon it can’t shelter criminals any better than 
the low down ones. This man is my prisoner, officer, 
needed in Georgia on a charge of assault with intent to 
kill. 

(The officers are policemen sent in from the nearest 
station. They look at the sheriff’s credentials, and 
turning to Caesar the more important looking says) 

Officer 

Are you Caesar Smith? 


24 


Smith 


Yas, sail. 

Jones 

And my prisoner. 

Officer 

(to sheriff) Go slowly, man. Caesar Smith is a prisoner 
of the State and as such I place him under arrest. (Puts 
his hand on Caesar and moves him to the door, the 
sheriff following.) 

Helen 

Don’t give up hope, Mr. Smith. Don’t feel that this 
is the end of things, it’s only the beginning. You’re in 
Caldwell, not in Georgia, and you shant leave here. 

Jones 

How do you make that out? 

Helen 

He shant leave, we won’t let him. We’ll get the best 
lawyer in the city and we’ll fight the case, we’ll fight it 
and fight it. (She loses her nervousness and speaks with 
clear ringing accents) Don’t you be afraid, we’ll fight 
and we’ll win. The State shant grant extradition. The 
governor won’t let them take you away. I know he 
won’t. We won’t let him. We’ll fight for you in the 
courts. Don’t you understand, we’ll fight to keep you 
with us here. You shant be taken back to be lynched. 
(The men all stand and watch her amazed at her excite¬ 
ment and the confidence with which she speaks. At 
length the sheriff sags with a slow drawl) 

Jones 

You’re a high-brow colored gal all right but how do 
you think you’re going to keep me from taking my 
prisoner away with me? Got a pull with the alderman, 
perhaps. Well, we’ll see whether this aint a white man’s 
country. You and your lawyer! Who’s going to do 
this fine fighting? 

Helen 

The National Association, that’s who is going to do it. 
The Caldwell Branch of the N.A.A.C.P. 

Curtain. 

25 







ACT II. 


Scene: The headquarters of the Caldwell Branch of 
the N.A.A.C.P. A bare room furnished with a desk, a 
typewriter, tables and chairs. Literature of the Associa¬ 
tion is on a side table. A few pictures of persons 
prominent in the movement are on the walls. Also any 
posters that may seem suitable. Helen and Thelma are 
at one table and Mrs. Carter and Mr. Harris at another. 
They are busy with papers. In the centre of the room, 
lined up, is a chorus (preferably children) that is sing¬ 
ing J. W. Johnson’s “Lift Every Voice” as the curtain 
rises. One verse is sung before the curtain goes up. The 
others after it has risen. 

Jane, Leader of Chorus 

That’s better, much better. I feel sure it will go 
finely for the Thursday meeting. We are all to be on 
hand, as you remember at quarter before eight. Is that 
quite clear? (Three or four in the chorus: “Yes, we 
understand.” Others say just “Yes”) We can all go 
then, unless (turning to Mrs. Carter) you have some¬ 
thing further that you want us to do ? 

Mrs. Carter 

(In a brisk, efficient manner) Nothing just now. But 
all remember, please that we have to raise at least a 
thousand dollars for Smith’s case, and that we want at 
least two thousand members. Don’t be afraid to ask 
for memberships. The Lord helps those who help them¬ 
selves. (“Yes, Yes,” the chorus answer and all go out. 
Jane remains and goes over to Mrs. Carter’s desk with 
books of receipts. Mrs. Carter looks at the books) 
That’s fine, Jane, I knew you would make a great lieuten¬ 
ant. You thought you couldn’t get anyone and here 
you have ten members already. 

Jane 

(Smiling happily) Yes, it isn’t hard when you once 
get started. 


27 


Thelma 

Isn’t it wonderful, Helen, the way the money is 
coming in. 


Helen 

Yes, it’s all the Smith case, don’t you think? 


Mrs. Carter 

(Looking up from her desk) It’s you, Helen, who 
brought us that. 

Helen 

I, think Caesar Smith brought it, all the way from 
Georgia. 

Mr. Harris 

I know I’m glad to help with my ten dollar certificate. 


Helen 

Oh, how fine for you to take that out, Mr. Harris. 

Mr. Harris 

Not at all. I’m glad to do it for Caesar Smith and 
also for our heroine who wouldn’t let the sheriff carry 
him off but called in the police. 

Helen 

It wasn’t anything, really. If you had heard him 
when he told his story you would all have done just as 
I did. 

Thelma 

I’d have been so frightened when I saw a strange man 
in the house, I’d have screamed and that would have 
spoilt everything. 

Jane 

(Turns from the door) Coming Mr. Harris? We’ve got 
to see some more folks tonight. 

Mr. Harris 

Yes, I’m coming. Good night (As they leave a hoy 
and his girl about eleven and ten come in). 

His Girl 

(Going up to Mrs. Carter) We’ve come to join the 
^N.A.A.C.P. 


28 


Mrs. Carter 

Good! 

His Girl 

(Opening her pocketbook and taking out a dollar bill) 
Here’s my money (taking oat anotlief bill) and here’s 
Jimmy’s. 

Mrs. Carter 

(To Jimmy) I’m glad you have such a good banker. 
Jimmy 

Oh, I earn the money and she takes it. Got a bug on 
this Association now. 


M rs. Carter 

(While writing oat receipts, the girl watching her) 
She will make a good wife when she grows up. 

Jimmy 

I don’ know. I want a little for myself (turns out 
his pockets which are empty). 

Helen 

How do you earn all this money, Jimmy? 


Jimmy 


Selling; the Crisis. 


His Girl 

And the. (Mentioning name of local colored 

paper. A white woman enters. Helen rises and greets 
her.) 

Helen 

I’m so glad to see you here, Miss Norton. (To Mrs. 
Carter) Miss Norton is the principal of my school. 

Miss Norton 

I’m only too glad to come, Miss Ray. I have been 
working among my church people, I dont feel as though 
I ought to work at business, and have fifteen members 
for you. (She goes to Helen’s desk and Helen seats her¬ 
self while Miss Norton hands out the money) Here are 
six one dollar members, and here are five five dollar ones. 

29 



Helen 

That’s great. 

Miss Norton 

Isn’t it? I am especially proud of all my judges. I 
have three of them, and they all said they were only too 
glad to join. You cant think how much this arrest of 
that poor colored man has stirred up the city. 

Mrs. Carter 

I suppose you all are just beginning to know what 
we have known all our lives. 

Miss Norton 

Perhaps that is it. 

Helen 

Well, it’s different for us too. It’s different seeing a 
man who has just escaped lynching or reading about 
one. 

Miss Norton 

Most people haven’t much imagination. 

Helen 

That doesn’t apply to you, Miss Norton. You have 
been a member ever since we started. 


Miss Norton 

You certainly stirred my imagination when you had 
that meeting three years ago and gave those awful 
lynching figures. And here’s my prize member (all look) 
The honorable James MacDonald, former member of 
congress, twenty-five dollars. 

(Helen, Thelma and Mrs. Carter all applaud.) 

Mrs. Carter 

That’s wonderful, Miss Norton. We’ll have our pub¬ 
licity committee make a news story of that. It will help 
us a lot, won’t it, Helen? 


Indeed it will. 

I must be going. 


Helen 

Miss Norton 

Are these all the receipts? 


30 


Helen 

You’ll find them all there, and the money will go to 
headquarters to-morrow. 


Miss Norton 

I am sure it will. There is nothing like the woman 
who isn’t supposed to know anything about business to 
do a quick business job. Well, good night all. 


Mrs. Carter 


Good night. 


Helen 

Good night, and thank you so 


much. 


Thelma 

Good-night. 

(Miss Norton goes out). 


Jimmy 

(Who is now at Helen's desk) Say, Miss Ray, did the 
white man point a gun at you? 


Helen 

No, not at me, at Mr. Smith. 


Jimmy 

I wisht I had been there. I always miss the fun. 


His Girl 

I’m going to have my picture in the Crisis some day. 
I’m going to college. 

Jimmy 

Say, Miss Ray, did you have your picture in the 
Crisis? 

Helen 

Yes, when I graduated from College. 

Jimmy 

Humph. Here, so long, Cdtie (Calls to girl who has 
received her receipt and joins him). It’s the movies for 
us, now, aint it ? 

His Girl 

(As they go out) Let’s make it sodas first. (As they 
run off they crash into a woman carrying a basket.) 

31 


Fannie Landers 

Is dis de office ob de Natural Association? 


Mrs. Carter 
Yes, this is the office. 


Fannie Landers 

Is you de gal what took pity on dat po’ man? 


Mrs. Carter 

No, this is the young lady into whose house Caesar 
entered. (Points to Helen.) 

Fannie Landers 

(Going over to Helen) I’s jes been paid and I wants 
to put my money right hyar to help keep dat po’ man 
alive. Don’ you let him go Souf. I come from down 
dar an’ I know what I’s talkin’ ’bout. Yes ma’am. Dey 
wouldn’t leave so much as a bone fer de crow ter pick 
at. Day’d burn him as sure as you’s born. I knows. 
(She pulls a tatered pocketbook from her breast and 
takes out a soiled dollar bill) You take dat, honey. 

Helen 

Let me give you a receipt (She hands the laundress 
a receipt). 

Fannie Landers 

What dat fo’? 


Helen 

That’s to say that you have given me the money. 

Fannie Landers 

(Laughs) Don’ I know dat? Didn’t I gib it to yer 
just now? Don’t need no paper ter tell me dat. Now' 
don’ you let him go back to Georgia. You tell him I 
knows and fer him not ter go back. 

Helen 

We won’t if we can help it. (Exit woman.) 

(While Fannie Landers has been talking to Helen a 
portly, well-dressed man has come in and put down a 
dollar on Mrs. Carter’s desk and received a receipt. He 
now speaks.) 


32 


Portly Man 

What do I get when I die? 

Mrs. Carter 

(Enquiringly) What do you get when you die? 

Portly Man 

Yes, Ma’am. What do I get when I die? 

Mrs. Carter 

Why, nothing. 

Portly Man 

I’ve paid a membership and you have given me a 
receipt. What are the benefits that come to me? 

Mrs. Carter 

This money is for the living, not for the dead. 

Thelma 

(Who has been standing near the door giving out 
literature when the people leave) This money is to keep 
people from dying. 

Portly Man 

But do I get nothing out of it? 

Mrs. Carter 

Nothing but the satisfaction of having helped your 
race. 

Portly Man 

Kindly return me my dollar, please. I do not give 
out money without the assurance of getting something 
back. (Mrs. Carter returns him his dollar, too indignant 
to trust herself to speak, but as he goes out Thelma stops 
him.) 

Tiielma 

Your receipt, if you please. 

Portly Man 

My receipt? 

Thelma 

Yes, your receipt. You don’t get something for noth¬ 
ing. (As the portly man fishes out the receipt and gives 
it to Thelma, four people, two men and two women, come 


33 


hurrying in. They are all lieutenants and are full of a 
pleasant bustle. Mrs. Allen and Mr. Campbell go to 
Mrs. Carter and Mrs. Boyd and Mr. Duncan to Helen.) 

Mrs. Allen 

My book is full. That makes me have forty new 
members in all. 

„ Mrs. Boyd 

Forty, I have fifty. 

Mr. Campbell 

Here’s my report, Madam Carter, Captain. Five new 
members. 


Mrs. Allen 

Five? Is that the best you could do? 

Mr. Campbell 

It’s hard for men to get members, they have so little 
leisure time. 

Mrs. Allen 

JYou have a lot of time at your lodge. Why didn’t you 
get more there? I made everyone of the Daughters of 
Ruth but two promise me a dollar at their last meeting. 

Mr. Campbell 

Promises are one thing and cash another. 

Mrs. Allen 

When you have the promises you have to go after the 
cash. (Mrs. Carter and Helen are busy during the con¬ 
versation making out receipts.) 

Mr. Duncan 

I go Campbell a cipher better. I have 50 members. 

Helen 

(Looking up from where she is signing receipts) 
That’s fine Mr. Duncan. 

Mrs. Boyd 

You and I are in the same boat, aren’t we Mr. Dun¬ 
can. Fifty each. 


34 


Helen 

Now you’ll have to keep on each getting the same 
number. It’ll be one hundred soon. 

Mrs. Boyd 

Then I’ll have to give up my baby. I only meet him 
once a day now. 

Mr. Duncan 

No, count him in, count him in. I’ll give him a ten 
dollar membership right now. 

Helen 

Good, good! I’ll make out the receipt. 

Thelma 

When will the case come up, Mr. Duncan? 

Mr. Duncan 

In a week probably. 

Helen 

Only to think, in a week we shall learn whether this 
state stands for the poor and oppressed or whether it 
is willing to give a man over to the mob. 

Mr. Duncan 

You ought to argue the case, Miss Helen, instead of 
our young orator, Edward Marston. 

Helen 

(Awkwardly) Oh no. 

Mr. Duncan 

I believe we have been very fortunate to be able to 
retain this young man, and I for one appreciate his 
generosity in refusing any fee. But I do not doubt that 
you are at the bottom of all this. 

Helen 

No, no indeed, I haven’t seen Ned—Mr. Marston— 
since Mr. Smith was arrested. 

Mrs. Allen 

(Bustling over to where Helen is, much to Helen’s an¬ 
noyance ) I have heard, Helen, that you’ve been very hard 


35 


on this young man. You two were too thick though, I 
reckon to last. (Helen turns to her work and says 
nothing.) 

Mr. Duncan 

I have a great admiration for Edward Marston, my¬ 
self, he is working with the greatest energy on this 
matter. (At this moment he is interrupted by the en¬ 
trance of the Rev. George Todd, a clergyman as one sees 
at once from his appearance.) 

Rev. Todd 

Good evening, friends. 

Helen, Mrs. C. & Mrs. B. 

Good evening, Reverend (They all either speak or 
nod greetings). 

M rs. Campbell 

How do you think the case is going, Reverend? 

Rev. Todd 

I am not in a position to have any wiser opinion than 
the rest of you. We all know that the Governor, failing 
to understand the importance of the case, issued ren¬ 
dition papers for Caesar Smith. We are now trying to 
secure his freedom by a writ of habeas corpus. Edward 
Marston is handling the ease and I have strong belief 
in his ability. 

M rs. Campbell 

What happens if we do secure a writ of habeas corpus? 

Rev. Todd 

The man is then free and will be safe so long as he 
remains in this State. 

Helen 

Oh, if he can only get it. He must not go back South. 

Mrs. Allen 

Well, I must be going—not South, but through this 
city to try to get more N.A.A.C.P. members. 

Mr. Duncan 

We must all go, if I am to visit all these people (hold¬ 
ing up a list that Helen has given him)/ 


36 


Mr. Campbell 

Thelma handing them literature as they go out of door.) 

Well, I m off. (The four who came in go out together, 

Thelma 

I ought to go too, oughtn’t I, Mrs. Carter? I have 
the Baptist prayer meeting to cover tonight. 

Mrs. Carter 

W r e ought all to go out, for that matter. There are 
five separate secret societies that Helen and I should 
reach this evening. 

Rev. Todd 

Why not go and leave me in charge ? I have made out 
receipts for you before. 

Mrs. Carter 

Oh, would you, Reverend? I’d be so grateful. No 
one is likely to come in now anyway. 

Rev. Todd 

I shall be delighted to help such charming ladies. 

Helen 

You’ve done no end of things for us already, and we 
are so grateful to you. 

Mrs. Carter 

It is a great help to know that there is one church in 
the city to which we can always turn, and then you 
preach such splendid N.A.A.C.P. sermons. 

Rev. Todd 

I am glad to contribute my small portion. We must 
all pull together if we are to rid ourselves of the demon 
Race Prejudice. (The three zvomen have been putting 
papers and tables in order and now stand ready to leave.) 

Thelma 

Good-bye Reverend Todd. 

Helen 

Good-bye. 


Rev. Todd 

(To Helen in a low tone) I’ve seen a good deal of a 
certain young gentleman lately and I don’t like to think 
that you are of an unforgiving nature. 

(Helen looks down, shakes her head, but says nothing.) 

Rev. Todd 

Can’t I give him a word of comfort? 

(Helen again shakes her head but then looks up with 
a smile and runs off. Mrs. Carter brings up the rear, 
her hands full of books and literature. The Reverend 
is left alone. He goes to the literature table and lifts 
up some of the leaflets noting them by name: 

Thirty Years of Lynching, 

A Lynching Uncovered, 

The Chicago Race Riots, 

Mississippi, The American Congo, 

The Arkansas Cases.) 

Jones 

(The door opens and the sheriff comes in. He looks 
just as he looked the night he entered Helen's home) 
Good evening, Elder. 

Rev. Todd 

(Looking up startled) Good evening. 

Jones 

Thought I’d drop in and see what this little society is 
that’s trying to obstruct the course of justice. (He goes 
to the table and picks up the pamphlets. He evidently 
does not read with great ease for he pours over the 
titles and gives them out somewhat slowly) “A Lynching 
Uncovered,” “Thirty Years of Lynching.” Look here, 
what are you doing with books like this. What affair is 
it of yours how we string a man up. Want to hide the 
criminal, eh? 

Rev. Todd 

We want to see that justice is done, sir. 

Jones 

(Turns over the pamphlet, “An Appeal to the Civilized 
World," and sees the pictures. He is much interested in 


38 


them, and turning to the Reverend shows him a photo¬ 
graph) See that pieture? That’s my old friend, Dick 
Simpson, in there. Reckon he didn’t expect ever to get 
into print like that. (He speaks with pride at the 
celebrity given his friend.) 

Rev. Todd 

His picture has traveled a long way. That pamphlet 
has been sent all over Europe. People have seen Mr. 
Dick Simpson’s picture in Paris and London, and even 
over in Japan. 

Jones 

(Looking at picture again) Aint that great! Old Dick 
Simpson in London. He’ll never get there any other 
way, I reckon. (Turning sharply to the Reverend) What 
you sending the pieture over the world for? It aint no¬ 
body’s business but ours how we settle up with niggers. 

Rev. Todd 

Mr. Sheriff, the man who takes human life has to 
settle up with his God. 

Jones 

Dick’s a good church member, I know that, never 
misses a Sunday. He got religion when the preacher 
came around in our county, oh, back ten years ago. 
Great preaching that was. I never knew a man who 
could make you feel hell-fire better. It made you almost 
sizzle yourself. 

Rev. Todd 

And is your friend escaping hell fire by burning up a 
black man here on earth? 

Jones 

What’s that? What’s that got to do with it? 

Rev. Todd 

It has very much to do with it. The Lord, my friend, 
is merciful and gracious, slow to anger. He does not 
sanction the cruelty shown in this picture here. (Points 
to the page where the burning of a Negro is shown) He 
tells us to love one another. To be kindly intentioned 
one to another. 


30 


Jones 

You’re willing to have our white girls raped by dirty 
black bucks, are you? Think we’re going to stand by 
and see the blacks take over our country, do you? 

Rev. Todd 

As it happened the man whose picture you see, who 
was burnt to ashes and who suffered the most awful 
torment that can be given to man, was not charged with 
touching a woman. 

Jones 

Wasn’t he? (He looks at picture again) And there’s 
Bill Ricks, too. Golly did his picture go to England and 
Paris? 

Rev. Todd 

Yes, sir. 

Jones 

Let me have this book to take back, Elder. 

Rev. Todd 

These books are for sale, sir. 

Jones 

How much. 

Rev. Todd 

Fifteen cents. 

Jones 

(Pulls out the money and gives it to the other man.) 
There you are. It sure was great to have that picture 
go so far. To Japan you said? 

Rev. Todd 

To Japan and to India also. 

Jones 

Bill and Dick will sure be surprised. What did they 
want to see their pictures for anyway? 

Rev. Todd 

They wanted to see how justice was meted out in 
America. 

Jones 

(With bored smile) Well, they know now. That’ll 
learn ’em. And they’d better not come around our way 

40 


if they’re nigger lovers, either. We know what to do 
with folks like that. Tar and feathers makes a pretty 
dress. (He drops the hooks and goes over to the desk 
where Helen has been working) Elder, what is this 
tarnation society? I never thought I’d have run up 
against a bunch of niggers that’d keep me from getting 
my man. Why, ef I’d been home they’d have handed him 
to me as quick as you could shoot off a gun. Is it 
politics as does it? Is this a Republican society? 

Rev. Todd 

No, this society doesn’t belong to any party. Some 
of the members are Republicans, some Democrats. 

Jones 

Democrats, why, we don’t allow a nigger in the party 
at home. 

Rev. Todd 

The young lawyer, Edward Marston who will defend 
Caesar Smith, is a Democrat. 

Jones 

That young upstart? Ef I had him down South I’d 
show him where he belonged. That young puppy, daring 
to think I wouldn’t protect my prisoner. I’d find the 
right tree and use him for a target. Where was you 
raised ? 


Rev. Todd 

In Georgia. 

Jones 

Well now, what county? 

The Rev. Todd 

Larchmont. 

Jones 

That’s North, I was raised in Casper County. And 
we don’t let a nigger that’s travelling on the train stop 
for more than two hours. That’s the way we manage it. 

Rev. Todd 

How about their going away? 


41 


Jones 

When they’re biggerty we send ’em away at the rope’s 
noose, and the rest, we keep ’em there and treat ’em fine. 
We all get along fine, whites and niggers, in my county. 

Rev. Todd 

I know most of the Negroes from Georgia in this 
city. There’re just the sort you need down there to 
make your state rich and prosperous but they wouldn’t 
stay. 

Jones 

We make ’em stay. Every Georgia nigger in your 
church knows our terms. Any nigger who lives down 
my way has got to know first that it is a white man's 
country. That’s first, all other things will be added un¬ 
to you. Hear me quote scripture! 

Rev. Todd 

So the kingdom of God and the white man’s rule in 
Georgia are the same—and to be sought with equal 
avidity. (While he is speaking the door opens and Ed¬ 
ward enters abruptly and looking about addresses the 
minister.) 

Edward 

Where is Helen? 


Rev. Todd 

She left here a short time ago to go to a meeting of 
the Knights of Pythias. 

Edward 

Oh, I thought I should see her here. 

Rev. Todd 

She will be back directly. 

Jones 

A right pretty nigger wench. (He is chewing a piece 
of tobacco and his tone and slur anger Edxvard beyond 
words. Edward turns on him sharply) 

Edward 

Get out of here. You have no business in this place! 

42 


Jones 

(Amazed) Are you addressing me, might I ask? 

Edward 

Leave this office. (The sheriff goes over to Edward 
and starts to pour the tobacco juice from his mouth unto 
him. Edward hits him. The sheriff draws a pistol and 
fires. Edward grabs his left arm, stumbles, falls un¬ 
conscious into a chair. The sheriff puts his pistol on the 
table and goes over to Edivard.) 

Jones 

Only winged you, did I ? (Gives his shoulder a shake 

but sees that the man is unconscious) I’ll do better for 
you my fine buck next time. Knock a white man down, 
will you? (He turns to go to the table to get his pistol 
and finds the Reverend has taken it up and is pointing 
it at him.) 

Rev. Todd 

Wait a minute, my friend. 

Jones 

What in the devil- 

Rev. Todd 

Although I’m a preacher I know how to use a gun, 
and I’ll use it too if ,it’s necessary. (The sheriff stares 
at the pistol and at the Reverend. They are standing 
opposite one another when the door opens. The sheriff 
starts to go and runs into the arms of a policeman.) 

Policeman 

What’s going on here? Who fired that shot? 

Rev. Todd 

Put the handcuffs on him, officer. He has shot and 
wounded Edward Marston. 

Policeman 

Keep him covered while I put on the bracelets. (He 
dexterously and quickly has the sheriff in handcuffs. In 
the meantime, Edward has aroused himself enough to 
move in his chair and turns languidly to see what is hap¬ 
pening. He starts up, then grasps his arm with a moan 
and sinks down again.) 


43 


Rev. Todd 

Here is the weapon, officer. (Gives policeman the 
pistol) Two minutes ago this man (pointing to sheriff) 
shot, with intent to kill, Mr. Marston. I am ready at 
any time to tell the whole story. 

Policeman 

(Respectfully) We all know you, Sir. But who’s this 
fellow anyway? (Points to the sheriff.) 

Jones 

I’m a white man, that’s what I am, but you’re a yellow 
dog. (Policeman taking him hy the arm, pushes him 
toward the door so that he nearly falls.) 

Policeman 

None of your impudence. I’ll call an ambulance for 
that young man at once. He needs attention. 

Rev. Todd 

(Goes over to Edward) My dear boy, are you much 
in pain? 

Edward 

I don’t know, but I’d stand anything but dying to 
have seen this. In handcuffs, oh my Lord, in handcuffs. 
(He grins and then gives a little groan of pain gripping 
his arm. The Reverend lifts him and putting his arm 
around his neck the ttvo start for the door.) In hand¬ 
cuffs, what he meant to put on Caesar Smith. Oh, glory, 
in handcuffs. 


Rev. Todd 

We’ll have that wound dressed in just a minute. 
Edward 

(Stopping for a second and looking about the room) 
I should smile. In handcuffs. Do you get the Reverend? 
In handcuffs. (He roars with laughter, then groans 
with pain. He slowly resumes his zvalk, then stops again 
and turning to the audience says) In handcuffs. 

Curtain 


44 


ACT III. 


Scene: A court room. The justice is seated with 
papers and gavel before him. In front of the guard rail 
running before the bench is a table covered with legal 
documents and papers. Seated at the table are the steno¬ 
grapher and clerk of the court. Edward, his left arm 
in a sling, is present as lawyer for the plaintiff. Rev. 
Todd is on witness stand which is opposite the table and 
to left of judge. The District Attorney, representing 
the state of Georgia, is standing before him. Seats for 
the spectators are to the right of the judge and are all 
filled. All are listening eagerly. The sheriff, a witness, 
awaiting to be called, is seated in front of spectators. 

(In the audience are many of the people who were 
in act one, and two persons conspicuous among them are 
Helen Ray and Fannie Landers. As the curtain rises 
the Reverend Mr. Todd is testifying.) 

Rev. Todd 

I come from Northern Georgia, your Honor, but it so 
happened that I preached one Sunday in Cartersville, 
fifteen miles from where Caesar Smith lived. While stay¬ 
ing in Cartersville I saw a lynching within a hundred 
yards of the church where the day before I had been 
preaching. It was of a singularly gruesome character. 
The body was mutilated with hundreds of shots. When 
I looked down from the church steps I saw certainly 
thirty men shooting at once. The* body hanging from a 
tree was a target and it seemed to be a matter of sport 
to find who could strike the bull’s eye. 


D. Attorney 

Did you see the victim these persons were trying to 


avenge r 
No Sir. 


Rev. Todd 


1). Attorney 

Mr. Todd, you are a clergyman and a man of God;: 
45 


it is your duty to preach forgiveness. But if some man 
here in the streets of Caldwell were to assault and rape 
your wife, would not every drop of blood in your body 
call upon you to visit upon the brute instant and awful 
punishment ? 

Rev. Todd 

I cannot answer that question, Sir. I do not know 
what I might do under such circumstances. But I can 
say that the question is irrelevant to the story which I 
have just related. The person lynched had not com¬ 
mitted rape. 

I). Attorney 

He had attempted it. 

Rev. Todd 

No, sir. The person whom I saw lynched in Carters- 
wille, Georgia, and whose body I saw used as a target 
and riddled with bullets was a woman. (There is an 
excited murmur throughout the audience. The judge 
stares sharply at the reverend gentleman who shows 
nothing in his face.) 

Judge 

Did I understand you to say that you saw a woman 
lynched ? 

Rev. Todd 

Yes, your honor. 

Judge 

(To D. Attorney) Have you any further questions to 
ask this man? * 


D. Attorney 

No, your honor. 

(The zvitness steps down.) 

Clerk 

William Jones,, sheriff of Casper County, State of 
Georgia, will now take the stand. 

(Sheriff advances in szvaggering manner and takes 
stand. Clerk administers oath, extending Bible to sheriff 


46 


who places his left hand upon it, raising his right hand 
above his head.) 

Clerk 

Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole 
truth, and nothing but truth, so help you God? 

Jones 

I do. 

(Clerk again takes his seat at table.) 

D. Attorney 

State briefly to the judge, Mr. Jones, for what purpose 
you have come to Caldwell. 

Jones 

I have come to this town, your Honor, to arrest a 
criminal who has escaped from justice. Caesar Smith, of 
Casper County, Georgia, on March 21 shot and wounded 
George Cameron. A warrant was at once issued for 
Caesar as he had fled the county and the state. I, in 
my position of sheriff, came here to arrest him. And 
I’d have had him and he would have been in Georgia 
locked up by this time, if it hadn’t been for a lot of 
interfering, biggerty niggers. 

Judge 

I object to the use of such language in this court. 

D. Attorney 

Will you state, Mr. Jones, what evidence you have for 
y<?ur belief that Caesar Smith, if turned over to you and 
taken back to Georgia, would secure a fair and unbiased 
trial and would be protected from the assault of the 
mob? 

Jones 

Such a question, Sir, casts a shadow upon the fair 
name of the State of Georgia. There is no state in the 
union where a man can have a fairer trial. 

D. Attorney 

State to the court what assurance you have that you 
can keep your prisoner safe from a mob if you return 
with him. 


47 


Jones 

(Puts his hand to his hip and draws out a large revol¬ 
ver. He runs his hand lovingly along it) I have this. 
Sir. 

Judge 

Has this man a permit for carrying concealed 
weapons ? 

D. Attorney 

He has in lieu of his position, Sir. 

Judge 

His position has nothing to do with it. He is under 
bail for shooting the attorney for the defendant (nodding 
his head toward Edward) and I see him toying with a 
revolver. (Nods to Sergeant) Take away the weapon. 
(Sergeant takes away pistol.) 

Sheriff 

(To the Judge) Well, your Honor, I have given up 
two pistols to this blamed old town but I expect them 
back with my prisoner. If placed in my hands, I can 
and will defend him with my life. 

D. Attorney 

Have there been any lynchings in your county since 
you were sheriff? . 

Jones 

No, Sir. 

D. Attorney 

Have there ever been any lynchings in Casper 
County ? 

Jones 

Not that 1 can remember, Sir. 

D. Attorney 

Do you recall the lynching of the woman of which the 
Reverend Mr. Todd spoke? 

Jones 

I do not, Sir. 

D. Attorney 

You believe that your State is a safe place for the 
defendant to return to? 


48 


Jones 

I do. I do not believe there is a state in the union, 
Sir, where the Negro is better treated. We like our 
niggers and treat ’em well. 

Judge 

I have stated that I object to the use of the word 
“nigger” in this court. 

Jones 

Yes, Sir. We give ’em food enough to feed a family, 
when they’re old we care for them; when they’re dead 
we bury them. Why, my mammy, Sir, (There is laugh¬ 
ter among the listeners . Goes on rather bewildered at 
the laughter) my mammy was the best woman next to 
my mother I ever knew. I loved her like I loved my 
mother. When she died she had a stylish funeral. You 
folks up here don’t know what you’re talking about when 
you think we don’t like the Negro. (He pronounces it 
Niggro”.) 

Judge 

We are not here to discuss the race question. We are 
here to decide whether this county shall grant a writ of 
habeas corpus. Has the sheriff of Casper Co., who is 
already under indictment for criminal assault upon one 
of Caldwell’s citizens, any further assurance to give us 
of the safety of his prisoner, if rendition is granted? 

Jones 

I say I’ll protect him with my life and that a Negro 
is as safe in my state as in any other. 

D. Attorney 

That is all Mr. Jones. (Turning to Edward) Your 
witness. 


Edward 

(Rising) I would like to ask Mr. Jones a question. 
He will return shortly we will all hope, to his home in 
Georgia, close to his mammy’s grave. If some night, 
Mr. Jones, I were to walk up to your front door and 
pounding angrily demand entrance, and if, when the 


49 


door was not- opened I broke into your home, what would 
you do? (Jone's hand goes involuntarily to his hip. 
There is a ripple of laughter in the court.) 

J ONES 

I’d aim straighter another time. 

Edward 

Exactly, and that is what Caesar Smith did when his 
home was forcibly entered. 

Jones 

You think a nigger, Negro, home is the same as mine? 

Edward 

Not at all, Mr. Jones. You have shown me that it is 
not, and that it is not entitled to the same protection as 
the white home in your State. That’s all. (He sits. 
The sheriff also takes his seat, looking very angry. The 
lawyer for the defendant is called upon to present his 
cose. Edward rises again.) 

Edward 

The facts of the case of the State of Georgia against 
Caesar Smith are these: On Thursday afternoon, March 
21, 1922, a white girl, Dora Court, was attacked on a 
road in Casper County five miles from Millersville. All 
efforts to find the guilty person were unavailing. On the 
following night the home of Caesar Smith, near the 
scene of the attack on Dora Court, was visited by a band 
of masked Ku Klux. The leader called upon Smith 
to open the door. This he refused to do. The crowd 
then beat upon the door and forced entrance. Smith 
shot down the first man who came in and leveled his 
gun at the second, who backed out. Smith succeeded in 
escaping from his home by a rear entrance and after 
great suffering and privation found his way to Caldwell. 
The sheriff of Casper County demands his return for 
trial on the charge of criminal assault. 

I wish first to point out, your Honor, the lack of justice 
which has already been shown by the people of Casper 
County toward Caesar Smith. The sheriff does not state. 


50 


and there is not a seintilla of evidence to show, that Smith 
was guilty of any offense within the law when the Ku 
Klux came up to his home. There was no evidence that he 
had attacked the girl. There was talk, instituted by a 
few disgruntled Negroes, the pitiful type that is always 
ready to play into the white man’s hands, but there was 
no evidence. Smith, however, was becoming a marked 
man in his community. He was showing enterprise, 
thrift, ability to live without the help of the white. He 
owned his farm, instead, as in the case of most of his 
neighbors, white and colored, being a share crop tenant. 
Jealousy was aroused in the minds of those less industri¬ 
ous, less able than he. Then, when there was a chance 
to attach to him some stigma, his jealous neighbors, 
masked and armed, went to his house, where they knew 
him to be alone, intent on bringing him out and killing 
- him on the spot. 

As the testimony has shown they tried to enter, and in 
defending himself Caesar Smith wounded one man. That 
is all that is against him. Self defense, your Honor, is 
the first law of nature. That man who finds his home 
entered by armed, masked men and who fails to defend 
himself is a craven. Had Smith acted other than he did 
we should not only pity but fail to respect him. Today 
we look upon him with respectful eyes, feeling the dig¬ 
nity of his action in repelling the men who tried to in¬ 
vade his home. 

The injustice practiced against Caesar Smith up to 
date does not lead the court to expect that he will be 
treated with greater consideration if he returns under 
the protection of the gentleman who has followed him 
up here. But we have other evidence to show that the 
likelihood of his falling into the hands of a mob is con¬ 
siderable. I have here the figures of the National As¬ 
sociation for the Advancement of Colored People for 
lynching in the State of Georgia. From 1889, when the 
first records were kept, until 1922, 386 persons were 
lynched in the State. 

Judge 

Will you give me those figures again? 


51 


Edward 

I am glad that your honor asks for them, and I do not 
wonder that you wish to have them again. 38G persons 
in the past 33 years were lynched in the State of 
Georgia. This incredible record of lawlessness 
certainly gives one the right to doubt the assurance of 
safety given to us by the sheriff of Casper County. 
Caesar Smith, this gentleman says, is as safe in Georgia 
as in any other State. And yet in Georgia, within the 
past sixty days, 9 persons have been taken from the 
hands of the law, for that is the meaning of lynching, 
and have been put to death. 

Your Honor, the plaintiff has sought refuge here in 
our State which we all love so well. He has fled here 
from death at the hands of a masked mob. If the State 
grants rendition, it turns this man over again to a 
masked mob. The Ku Klux attempted to organize in 
this State but thanks to the swift action of the governor 
they were unable to operate here. They say that they 
believe in law but they nevertheless take the law into 
their own hands. They are masked and can do whatever 
evil they desire without danger of being identified. They 
have once attacked Caesar Smith. What hope can we 
entertain that they will not attack him again ? This man, 
Caesar Smith, has a wife and a daughter. He is giving 
daily thanks that they were away on a visit when his 
house was attacked. 

Smith 

Amen. 

Edward 

Think of it, your Honor. There is no evidence that 
Smith had any part in the attack upon Dora Court. There 
never has been any evidence. All the evidence based 
upon good behavior, industry, thrift, shows Smith to have 
been a temperate, quiet man, not prone to interfere in 
others affairs. A man who minded his own business. And 
yet today his house is in ruins, his wife and child in hid¬ 
ing and he himself in imminent danger, unless justice in 
this our noble State decrees otherwise, of being taken 
back and mobbed. Already he has been nearly mobbed 
by a group of masked men. Everything in the history 

52 


of his treatment by his State thus far, shows that he 
has little to hope for if he is rendered back to it. 

I have spoken of the terrible record of lynching in 
the State of Georgia. Your Honor, in Casper County 
there was a lynching, although Mr. Jones, the present 
sheriff, does not recollect it. It is an easy thing for a 
white man to forget. But for the black man who feels 
intensel} 7 , keenly, the sufferings of his race (Edward 
stops for a second and glances at Helen), for the black 
man and woman who has sympathy, understanding of 
the sorrows of the race, such lyncliings are unforgetable. 

This case that I have in mind occurred fifteen years 
ago. It began, as so many of these cases begin, in an 
attack upon a white woman. The South is sparsely 
settled, its people are ill educated and among both white 
and black there is much brutality. There is also much 
passion, and when a white girl was found raped and dead 
the fury of the whites in this lonely hill section of Cas¬ 
per County was terrible. Someone they felt must be at 
once punished. They must vent their frenzy upon some 
being. Cries went up through the hills, “Kill the nigger." 
Two bloodhounds were put on the trail and without hesi¬ 
tation the animals stopped in front of a white man’s 
door (a moan comes from the audience. It disturbs Ed¬ 
ward for a second but lie soon proceeds). The dogs 
stopped at a white man’s door. There was a feud in this 
part of the country, and the man at whose house the dogs 
stopped was known to be a bitter enemy of the father of 
the girl. He had two sons, lawless fellows both. One 
of those sons, mark this your Honor, was in that mob. 
The mob stood looking at the dogs who were sniffing 
about the doorsill. It was embarrassing to be confronted 
with a possible white criminal when they were expecting 
a black one. Hands were on hip pockets. The son of the 
house had his back to the door. Many curses were heard. 
Then of a sudden a new group joined the hesitating men. 
“What are you doing here?’’ they cried. “Come down to 
nigger bend. Jerry Landers was seen near the girl this 
morning.” (Again the moan is heard, but this time more 
terrible. All look and see that it comes from Fanny 
Landers zvho is sitting at Helen’s side.) 


53 


Edward 

Your Honor, those men leaped at the news as starving 
dogs leap at a bone. They wanted revenge but they 
wanted to get it easily without trouble. And they raced 
yelling, screaming, to Jerry Landers’ door. 

Jerry Landers was an only son and his mother a 
widow. He was seventeen, uncouth, lazy perhaps, but— 

Fannie Landers 

(She has risen, calls out) No he weren’t, he were de 
bes’ boy a mudder eber had. (Many of the people in the 
audience rise to their feet. The sheriff is startled, even 
the judge starts violently.) 

Judge 

(To Edward) Who is this person? 

Edward 

I do not know, your Honor. 

Fannie Landers 

(Speaking before Edward finishes and with rapidity) 
I’s Fannie Landers ob Casper County, Mudder ob dat 
boy. 

Clerk 

Order, order. 

Fannie Landers 

Judge, you listen. I am der mudder ob dat boy. Dey 
burn him, Sir, dey burn him ter death. I saw de light, 
de yeller flame in de sky, an’ I runned and runned. He 
was screamin’ w r hen I got dar. God, I kin hear him 
scream now. (Her voice rises to a scream. Everyone is 
listening horrified, the judge the keenest of all. She 
turns and points to the sheriff) Don’t you tink he don' 
remember. Eberybody ’members. Dere was hunnerds 
ob ’em watchin’ my boy burn. (Her voice drops very 
low and sweet) My boy, my own chile. (Her voice rises) 
Jedge, don’ yer let him (pointing to sheriff) take dat man 
down dar. Don’ ye hab it on yer heart. Ef yer do at 
night you’ll smell de burning flesh. Don’ yer let him go. 
(She drops to her seat, Helen supports her. One hears 
women sobbing in the audience. Men clinch their hands.) 

54 


Edward 

(He has been standing through this outbreak) Your 
honor, I rest my case here. (Sits.) 

D. Attorney 

(Rises) Your Honor, appearing for the plaintiff, the 
State of Georgia, I wish to present certain facts show¬ 
ing that the writ of habeas corpus should be denied. 
First: 

(While he is speaking the curtain falls.) 


ACT IV. 

Scene: The same as act 1. Evening of the same day. 
In the room are Helen, Thelma and Beatrice. The table 
is set for a business meeting, Helen’s secretary’s book on 
it. But it is also full of papers which the girls are ex¬ 
citedly reading. Outside you hear the call of “Extra, 
Extra, full account of the Extradition case. Judge re¬ 
bukes Georgia sheriff. Extradition refused. Extra, 
Extra” (some of the w r ords lost as the boys shout them). 
Helen, Thelma and Beatrice are all reading the papers 
and reading aloud bits they particularly like. 

Helen 

Thelma, just listen to what the Governor says: It 
is evident from the action of the sheriff in shooting with¬ 
out reasonable provocation our respected citizen Edward 
Marston, one of the outstanding youths of promise of 
the colored race— 

Thelma 

(Who bursts in with her reading when Helen lias 
reached the name of Edward Marston) It is rumored 
that the extraordinary moment of the trial when a mother 
whose son had been burned at the stake rose to her feet— 

Helen 

(interruping when Thelma has reached the word ‘son’) 
We are proud of our colored lawyer and hope that he 
will always remain a citizen of our State. Young men 
of color like this are an asset to the nation. 


55 


Thelma, 

(Who has interrupted at word ‘State* with:) And made 
her impassioned plea. This was all staged beforehand. 

Beatrice 

Girls do read one at a time. We know that spiel 
about Edward, Helen, he deserves every bit of it, but 
I want to know whether you knew that Fannie Landers 
had had a son lynched? (At this moment Cyril and Ed¬ 
ward enter and remain in the background.) 

Helen 

Yes, I did. 

Cyril 

(Stepping forward) Well, I congratulate you, Helen. 
That was the greatest thing I ever saw pulled off. You 
had better give up teaching and write for the movies. 

Helen 

No, don’t put it like that. I didn’t stage anything. I 
didn’t even give Edward the story. He got it out of 
“Thirty Years of Lynching in the U. S.” I just took 
Fannie to the court and left the rest to fate. 

Edward 

You won the case all right. 

Helen 

Nonsense. 

Beatrice 

(Edward and Helen are a little embarrassed as they 
meet and Beatrice bursts in with her speech to make 
things a little less embarrassing) Helen’s been reading 
all the bouquets the governor has thrown to you, Ed¬ 
ward. I expect he’ll soon resign in your favor. 

Edward 

I’m expecting it every day. What job were you look¬ 
ing for Beatrice? 

Beatrice 

Well, Ministress to the court of St. James. 

Edward 

You didn’t say I was to be President. (All laugh. 
The rest of the club who were present at the first act 
have entered except John.) 


56 


Albert 

How are you, Helen? What a wonder you are! They 
say you got Fannie Landers to make her speech. 

Edward 

If you win any more cases I sliant dare to speak to 
you when we meet. 

• Albert 

Girls, what do you think, Caesar Smith is going to 
work for old Mr. Thompson, don’t you know, the soap 
man who has that enormous house on Grant Avenue. 

Thelma 

When did you hear this? 

Albert 

Just a few minutes ago. Mr. Thompson is a personal 
friend of the governor’s and it seems the governor asked 
him if he couldn’t find a place on his estate and of course 
he found the place. (John enters. He has a paper in 
his hand.) 

John 

Hear what the Afro-American Journal says (Reads) 
‘It is stated that Will Jones, sheriff of Casper County, 
will come up for trial in the shooting of Edward Marston 
before Judge Stanley. If he does, his chances for a light 
sentence are slim. The more the sheriff swore today 
the angrier the judge looked. 

Cyril 

Yes, Judge Stanley wouldn’t stand for swearing. 

John 

(Still reading) It looks as though the tables will be 
reversed from what the sheriff expected. Instead of 
Caesar Smith’s returning to be incarcerated in Georgia, 
Will Jones will be incarcerated in our State. (Beatrice 
has gone to the victrola and has put in a needle. It 
begins to play.) 

Edward 

No, Trix, please, we’re not ready for dancing yet. 

Beatrice 

No? 


57 


Edward 

(Smiling, but firm) No, the Caldwell Club has turned 
over a new leaf. After this it will be business first, and 
pleasure afterwards. We’re all here, aren’t we? Just 
the crowd that met a month ago. I call the meeting to 
order. (Beatrice stops record.) Will the secretary read 
the minutes of the last meeting? (They all take their 
seats and the business begins.) 

Cyril 

I move we dispense with the reading of the minutes* 
Beatrice 

I second the motion. 

Edward 

How do you feel about this motion, Madame Secretary ? 

Helen 

As there weren’t any minutes of any account, you can 
easily dispense with them. 

Edward 

The motion before you is to dispense with the reading 
of the minutes of the last meeting. All in favor will say 
‘aye’. (All vote aye.) 

Edward 

All opposed, ‘No’. (There are no Noes.) The motion 
to dispense with the reading of the minutes is carried. 
I will now call for a committee report. Will the com¬ 
mittee appointed to consider the advisability of joining 
the N.A.A.C.P. drive bring in its report. The committee 
consisted of Thelma, Cyril and our secretary. Who 
was made chairman? 


Thelma. 

Cyril. 

Edward 

I see you are not feminists. You appointed a man to 
do the work. 

Helen 

No, we didn’t. We appointed the man for the place 
of honor and the secretary, Thelma, did the work. 


58 


Keep 


Cyril 

(With a grimace) That’s feminism all right, 
at it, put me where I belong. 

Thelma 

Report, Cyril, you know what we have done. 

Cyril 

. No, Madame Secretary, you are the one to report. 
You have done the work. (He sits, and while he tries to 
look aggrieved he is really delighted.) 

Thelma 

(Risis) Fellow members of the Caldwell Social Club, 
you can all make this report. You know that after we 
left Helen that night she started in on the most exciting 
piece of work that the colored people of Caldwell have 
ever done. The N.A.A.C.P. Branch at once took up 
Caesar Smith’s case and there wasn’t any question of 
our joining the branch or the drive. Nothing could 
have kept us out. Cyril, Helen, John and I became 
lieutenants and we brought in in all 234 new members. 
(There is a round of applause) But besides this, it was 
our club that furnished the legal council and I bet we’re 
all more proud than we can ever say of the way Ned 
Marston argued that case. Not only that, he let himself 
get shot by the sheriff just to strengthen it. You may 
find it uncomfortable to have your arm in a sling, Ned, 
but it was a great help with the judge and the governor. 
Well, there’s not much more to say. We’ve been con¬ 
gratulated by headquarters and we’ve really, I think, 
done a pretty good job. (She sits down by Cyril amid 
applause and says aside to him) You ought to have made 
the speech. I forgot everything I wanted to say. 

Edward 

Do I hear a motion to have the report accepted. 

Cyril 

I move its acceptance. 

John 

(Slowly) I second the motion and thank the committee. 

59 


Edward 

We will add that to the motion. Are you ready for 
the question. All in favor will say ‘Aye’. (There is a 
roar of ayes.) There is no one left to say No. The 
motion, Madame Secretary is unanimously carried. (To 
Helen) Have you any further business? 

Helen 

I have a communication from headquarters. 

Edward 

Let us hear it. 


Helen 

(Reading letter) 

National Association for the Advancement of 
Colored People 
70 Fifth Ave. 

New York, N. Y. 

Miss Helen Ray, Secretary 
Caldwell Social Club 
My dear Madam: 

I write to extend to you our hearty thanks for the 
admirable work which your club has done during the 
spring membership drive. Through the efforts of your 
members we have received 234 new members, thirty of 
them gold and ten silver certificates. We hope that the 
young people in other sections of the country where we 
have branches will follow your example and help us in 
our efforts to bring justice to the American Negro. 
Very truly yours, 

James Weldon Johnson, Secretary. 

Edward 

That shows not only that we did good work but that 
we turned it in in fine shape to the National Office. The 
sum they state agrees exactly with Thelma’s figures. Is 
there any further business? If not, ybur president has 
something he would like to say. (Edward rises and 
speaks quietly and earnestly, in contradistinction to his 
manner at the former meeting.) 

When we met here last time I made a rotten talk. I 


60 


want to take it all back. I said a lot about this club be¬ 
ing just a place for a good time and that if a man looked 
after himself and his family and got a job occasionally 
for a friend.— 

John 

Hear! hear! 


Edward 

That was all that should be expected of him. I don’t 
feel that way now. 

John 

Going to get us all two jobs? 

Edward 

(Making his point swiftly) Yes, two, one for himself 
and one for his race. I tell you, Caesar Smith has been 
an eye-opener to a lot of us. We’ve got to keep busy if 
we want to have the race survive, just survive. And we 
here in the North have got to fight the battle Smith 
couldn’t fight. 

Cyril 

Oh, yes, he did fight. 

Edward 

You’re right there, he did fight, and escaped with his 
life and that would have been taken from him if we 
hadn’t fought with him. But we, here, why we can fight 
without endangering our lives and we ought to do it. 
I’ve been reading a lot of stuff since I took up this case, 
N.A.A.C.P. stuff that I never would bother looking at 
before, and I see that we haven’t got any too much back¬ 
bone about the things in the North. We let them shove 
us out of the best seats in the theatres and growl and 
that ends it. And we don’t dare go into a restaurant for 
a meal though the law expressly says we can have one 
if we insist on it. We’re too, too — 

Cyril 

Lazy. 

Edward 

No— (hesitating) I don’t think its exactly laziness, 
we’re too, well, we’re too respectable, I guess that’s about 


61 


* 


the amount of it. We can’t bear to make ourselves con¬ 
spicuous. We’d rather swallow a little pride than have 
a row. But the point is the row isn’t for ourselves, it’s 
for the whole of us, it’s for the race. If we’re free, 
really free here in the North, it won’t be so easy to en¬ 
slave Caesar Smith in the South. 

Well, gentlemen of the jury, I don’t intend to make 
a speech. You see I’ve made a resolve. I’m going to 
work for the National Association for the Advancement 
of Colored People. Fannie Lander’s cry in the court 
room will be with me as long as I live. (They all look 
very serious) When I started to tell that story I never 
knew the boy was her son. But I haven’t forgotten it. 
It’s the kind of thing that sticks with you, that you take 
to bed with you at night. And we’ve got to stand by her 
and Smith, and all the people of our race who are suf¬ 
fering just because they happen to be born black. We 
can’t turn our backs on them, I can’t; none of you can. 
(He sits down. The young people have grown very 
serious.) 

Cyril 

(Rises) I bet we all feel exactly as Ned does and we 
mean to join in with him right here in this club and take 
up whatever he thinks we had better do. I suppose 

he’d- (There is a loud shouting from the streets. 

The girls and some of the hoys jump up. Beatrice gets 
io the door first and from the hall calls hack.) 


Beatrice 

Come on, come, there’s a procession. (There is a sound 
-of a hand and cries of hooray, hooray!) 


What is it? 


Thelma 


John 

Sounds to me like a lot of Elks or Pythians. 

(They all run into the hall and you hear) 

Cyril 

Say, Thelma, did you know there was to be a pro¬ 
cession? 


62 


No, indeed. 


Thelma 


Jane 

I didn’t. 

John 

Shall we go? 

Albert 

Let's either go or stay. 

Cyril 

Here’s your coat, Thelma. 

* Albert 

Come along, there’s Caesar Smith. 

(The door shuts. Edward and Helen are left alone.) 

Edward 

Want to go, Helen? 

Helen 

I’m in no hurry. 

(They are standing hy the table. Helen's eyes are 
downcast. You hear the band in the distance.) 

Edward 

I love to hear a band, don’t you? 

Helen 

Yes. You can run to it if you like. 

Edward 

You know what I like. 

Don’t you think, Helen, dear, the best part of having 
a quarrel is making it up? (Helen nods her head but does 
not look up) I’m willing to admit that you were right, 
at least, most right. I think you called me pretty hard 
names ? 

Helen 

I did. 

Edward 

But I was a rotter. (He takes her engagement ring 
from his pocket and puts it on the table near her hand. 


63 


She moves her fingers to it and slips it on, but still she 
does not look at him.) 

Edward 

I thought I was happy a month ago, but now! (He 
has moved and has one arm about her) We’ve got an 
awful lot to do, Helen. 

Helen 

Yes! 


Edward . 

All the cruelty, all the race prejudice, all the silli¬ 
ness — 


Helen 

You expect to attack it? 

Edward 

I expect to fight it from this day on, and you will fight 
it too, dear. Oh, my child, you have a great deal to do. 

Helen 

(Looking up for the first time, with a mischievous 
smile) I realize that Edward. I shall have to look after 
you. 

(They slip into one another’s arms. You still hear the 
band in the distance.) 


Curtain. 


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